The work of the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation wouldn’t be possible without its many donors. The foundation has always acknowledged that, but their recent Donor Appreciation Evening was the first time in over two years that they’ve been able to do so face to face. In attendance were past and present board members as well as donors and recipients of the foundation’s many granting programs.

Jeff Miner, a BPFC board member in his third year of service, moved to Neepawa four years ago to take over as Office and Credit Manager for Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op. His background in volunteerism with Habitat for Humanity and the Siloam Mission in Winnipeg drew him to quickly become involved in the community. Now vice president of the foundation in his third year of service on the board, he credits Neepawa and area with being a warm, generous, and connected community.

The community foundation represents the historic county of Beautiful Plains, which encompasses not just Neepawa but the surrounding municipalities, and the board makes an effort to get representatives from all of those geographic areas. Board members serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms, ensuring a regular influx of new perspectives to the decision-making process. Miner acknowledges that it has been a difficult couple of years for operation of the foundation, as it has been for many people, and he’s very glad to see this in-person event as a sign of good things to come.

The donor appreciation evening concluded with a cheque presentation to the Neepawa Middle School Parent Council to assist with their new playground structure. The foundation issued them a challenge that if they could raise $20,000 on their own, the foundation would match it. The parent council exceeded that goal, raising over $50,000 to date. The total cost of the play structure is estimated at $150,000, and they hope it will be constructed in the summer of 2023.

Since 1995, the foundation has given out more than $1.85 million to organisations in the Neepawa area.